New records of spiders: Araneae, Eresidae, Cheiracanthiidae, Scytodidae from Pakistan

Mian Sayed Khan; Pir Asmat Ali; Abdul Baset

doi:10.47264/idea.ajset/3.1.10

Authors

Mian Sayed Khan Department of Zoology, University of Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan.
Pir Asmat Ali Department of Zoology, Women University Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8309-1918
Abdul Baset Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China | Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong (SAR), China. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1517-7151

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.ajset/3.1.10

Keywords:

Araneae, Cheiracanthiidae, Eresidae, Scytodidae, Spider species, Spider habitats, Spider diversity, Complex ecology

Abstract

In this study, we confirm the presence of the spider species Cheiracanthium approximatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885, which has been observed after a 139-year absence. The species is validated based on an established population and an extended distribution, as reported. We also report the rediscovery of a new species, Stegodyphus pacificus Pocock, 1900, after 90 years, recorded, and Dictis striatipes L. Koch, 1872, a species is recorded as new, including the genus Dictis L. Koch, 1872, in the subtropical North-West Hindu Kush sub-mountainous foothills of Peshawar valley, with uneven population. These results reveal that both Sub-continent Eurytopic C. approximatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885 and Eurasian Eurytopic and D. striatipes L. Koch, 1872 gradually acclimated to habitats. Our findings show that both Cheiracanthium approximatum and Dictis striatipes have adapted well to their environments. The populations we observed are not evenly distributed, highlighting the complex ecology of the area. To help with identification, we have included detailed photographs of these spiders and their reproductive organs. This research enhances our understanding of spider diversity in South Asia and emphasises the need for ongoing studies in less-explored regions.

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